Metal box.



G. H. PAINE.

METAL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1a, 1908.

Patented Sept. 14, 1909.

FIG I E, M .nfl mm m5 mm m s 00,. mowaumocmwsns. WASHINGTON. a c.

GEORGE H. PAINE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

METAL BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 16, 1908.

Patented Sept. 14-. 1909.

Serial No. 433,193.

To all whom it may concern:

.le it known that l, GEORGE H. Pxixn, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania. have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Metal Boxes, whereof the following is a SPQClfiCtlflOll, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

in said drawings, Figure plan view of the lid of a box embodying my invention. Fig. ll, being a vertical central section on the line ll, ll, of Fig. l. I

The objectof my invention is to provide a box cover of such a character as to form a close joint with the box, but which shall be readily removable.

.is is well known, the lids of metal boxes, such for instance as blacking boxes, when fitting with the desired tightness. are liable to stick fast, thus preventing the ready openiug of the box.

By the device about. to be described, I so organize the parts that when sticking does occur, it is only necessary to press the lid forcibly toward, instead of away from, the box, the immediate result of pressure applied in this direction being set free the en gaging surfaces to an extent sufficient to permit their ready separation.

Referring to the drawings 1, represents the box, whose side 2, is approximately cylindrical in form, tl'iough preferably with a slight in aid taper, which is exaggerated somewhat in the drawing. The side is preferably provided with an external projecting rib to form a seat for the lower edge of the box lid. The upper periphery of the side of the box is arched inwardly, as indi' cated a i. so as to form a distinctly converging surface, on the exterior of the side at its top. The inherent stiffness of the metal of the box is greatly enhanced by the arched configuration at the upper edge, so that under normal conditions of use, the edge is substantially rigid as against compression. The lid 5, has an approximately cylindrical side which is provided with an inwardly inclined surface 6, preferably located as shown, at the region where its side portion merges into its approximately horizontal top portion. This inclined inner surface of the lid is so located as to lie adjacent to the arched upper surface of the side of the box when the lid is in a normally closed position. If desired, the interior porl, is a top or tion of the lid of the box may be dished slightly as indicated at 7. The configuration of the lid such that the structure is relatively elastic at the region of its depending rim, so that while it will yield radially outward, it will return to its former posi tion when released, this capacity being enhanced by the inward dishing of the top of the lid.

As thus constructed, the mode of opera tion is as follows z-lVlren the lid is placed upon the box, in a normally closed position, a substantially tight joint is formed between the proximate surfaces of the sides of the box and lid. Under these circumstances, the lid may adhere with such closeness as to stick when an attempt is made to open the box. Should such be the case, downward pressure is forcibly applied upon the top of the box lid, as for instance, by the foot of a person standing thereon. The offeet of this pressure, is to cause a wedging action from within upon the rigid abutment formed by the inclined region (5, of the box lid, by reason of the fact that the inclined surface at this region forced farther down upon the incline surface l, of the box, than is characteristic of the normally closed position. The result of this wedging action is to pry the entire depending side of the box lid outward, so as to free it slightly from contact with the proximate surface of the box, whereupon, the lid can be immediately removed before the side springs back again into adhesive relation. The arched configuration of the top edge of the box affords an aoutinent sufficiently strong to resist crushing, so that a very considerable amount of pressure can be applied without distorting the parts, the action being that of a true arch, owing to the circular form of the top and the inward convergence at the upper edge. Owing to the elasticity of the metal in the side of the lid, the necessary amount of spreading to free the proximate surfaces does not Jermanently distort the side of the lid, and when the latter is replaced, it will fit upon the box with the normal tightness.

Having thus described my invention, I claim The combination, with a box lid having a normal closing without operative contact beextending around its upper edge and adapted l porarily expanded to permit removal of the 10 to engage said inclined surface; the overlap l lid, without permanent distortion. of. the rim of the lid with relation to the side In testimony whereof, I have hereunto of the box, being of such extent as to permit signed my name, at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- Vania, this fifteenth day of May 1908. tween the abutment and the inclined surface l GEORGE H. PAINE. of the lid; whereby when the lid is pressed i \Vitnesses: toward the box beyond the position of nor- JAMES H. BELL, mal closing, the rim of the lid may be teml E. L. FULLERTON. 

